Here she is, boys! Gypsy is back on Broadway and Audra McDonald is a Mama Rose for the ages. This new revival breathes new life into one of musical theater’s most iconic works.
Based on the memoirs of famed burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee, the show follows the indomitable Mama Rose, a mother determined to turn her daughters into stars, no matter the cost. Set during the decline of vaudeville and the rise of burlesque, Gypsy is both a gripping character study and a poignant reflection on ambition, sacrifice, and the pursuit of success.
First premiering on Broadway in 1959, Gypsy features a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The original production was an instant classic, earning critical acclaim and establishing Mama Rose as one of the most coveted roles in musical theater.
Numbers like “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Let Me Entertain You,” and “Rose’s Turn” have become standards, showcasing a score that balances rousing optimism with deep emotional complexity.
This new revival seeks to honor the show’s legacy while offering fresh perspectives. Directed by a visionary creative team, the production highlights the shifting dynamics of the relationships at its core: the relentless Mama Rose, the underestimated Louise, and the overlooked June. With innovative staging and bold new interpretations of the classic score, the revival offers a deeper dive into the themes of family, ambition, and identity.
Over the years, Gypsy has been a star vehicle for some of Broadway’s greatest leading ladies, including Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters, and Patti LuPone. This revival continues that tradition, with a powerhouse performance from its leading actress anchoring the production. The ensemble and creative team bring energy and nuance to the show’s timeless story, while the design elements—evoking the glitz of vaudeville and the grit of backstage life—immerse audiences in its world.
Often hailed as the greatest American musical, Gypsy is celebrated not only for its unforgettable score but also for its rich storytelling and complex characters. This revival reaffirms its place in Broadway history, offering a fresh take on a show that continues to captivate audiences with its blend of humor, heartbreak, and humanity.
McDonald’s take on Momma Rose is all her own from her very first line to her triumphant final song. She oozes with all of Rose’s insecurities but loves so fiercely and protectively. McDonald throws her entire being into “Rose’s Turn,” building and building until you begin to marvel that you are lucky enough to witness such a performance. And when Rose finishes her song, soaking in the adoration from the audience that is both imaginary and also very real, there is no other choice but to give her a standing ovation.
But any questions of fit are allayed in the second act, as McDonald tears into Rose’s toxic ambition with sharp teeth. Rose, and the actor playing her, is the reason to attend Gypsy; with McDonald locked in on the mother’s white-knuckled obstinacy, the rest of the production falls neatly, if not too remarkably, behind her. Santo Loquasto’s sets – peeling entertainment ads on faded brick, humdrum boarding houses and shabby caravans – are enough to convey the indignities of show business during the Depression, the persistent gap between Rose’s bright-light dreams and their reality. The full 26-piece orchestra, under the direction of Andy Einhorn, makes lush work of the fully restored, golden-age music by Jule Styne. The trio of Lesli Margherita, Lili Thomas and Mylinda Hull conjure delicious, extravagant slapstick out of You Gotta Get a Gimmick, introducing Louise to her burlesque destiny.
1959 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1961 | US Tour |
1st National Tour US Tour |
1961 | US Tour |
2nd National Tour US Tour |
1973 | West End |
London Revival West End |
1974 | Broadway |
Broadway Production Broadway |
1976 | Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
Paper Mill Production Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
1989 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
1998 | Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
Paper Mill Production Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
2003 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
2006 | St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
St. Louis MUNY Production St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
2006 |
Regional Concert |
|
2007 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
2008 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
2014 | Regional (US) |
Connecticut Rep Production Regional (US) |
2015 | West End |
West End Revival Production West End |
2018 | St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
The Muny Revival St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
2024 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Production Broadway |
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